Small electrical devices

Abstract

To further improve the usability of small electrical devices equipped with a tiltable functional head. [Solution] The small electrical device comprises a main body case 1 that also serves as a grip, and a functional head 2 connected to one end of the main body case 1. The functional head 2 is configured to be tiltable relative to the main body case 1 between one stroke end and the other stroke end. The device is equipped with a posture-holding mechanism that holds the functional head 2 in a non-tiltable position at at least three locations, including both stroke ends.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to small electrical devices such as handy-type beauty devices for skin care.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding this type of small electrical device, the present applicants have previously filed Patent Document 1. The small electrical device of Patent Document 1 includes a functional head including a skin electrode that supplies an electric current to the skin surface, and a vertically long main body case that supports the functional head. A grip electrode paired with the skin electrode is provided on the grip portion of the main body case. The functional head is fixedly provided so as not to be displaceable with respect to the main body case, or is connected to the main body case so as to be vertically tiltable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the functional head is configured to be vertically tiltable with respect to the main body case, the user of the small electrical device (beauty device) can change the posture (angle) of the functional head according to the part of the skin surface to which the skin electrode is applied, etc., and thus the usability of the small electrical device is improved. However, since the fixed position of the functional head with respect to the main body case is limited to two positions at both stroke ends of the tilting stroke, there is a limit to the improvement of usability.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to further improve the usability of a small electrical device provided with a tiltable functional head.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a small electrical device comprising a main body case 1 that also serves as a grip, and a functional head 2 connected to one end of the main body case 1, wherein the functional head 2 is configured to be tiltable relative to the main body case 1 between one stroke end and the other stroke end. The invention is characterized by comprising a posture-holding mechanism that holds the functional head 2 in a non-tiltable position at at least three locations, including both stroke ends.

[0007] The main body case 1 is vertically elongated. The upper half of the main body case 1 constitutes a functional section 4 that supports the functional head 2, and the lower half of the main body case 1 constitutes a grip section 5 suitable for the user to hold. A tilting mechanism 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the functional section 4.

[0008] The tilting mechanism 27 intersects with a virtual plane that divides the functional unit 4 into two halves, vertically.

[0009] The functional head 2 at one end of the stroke is located on the front side of the main body case 1, and the functional head 2 at the other end of the stroke is located on the front or top side of the main body case 1. The tilting operator 27 is located on the rear side of the main body case 1.

[0010] A drive mechanism 8, which is operated to switch the operating state of a small electrical device, is provided on the surface of the grip portion 5.

[0011] The tilting mechanism 27 and the drive mechanism 8 are positioned on different walls of the main body case 1, on the front, back, left, and right sides.

[0012] The wall surface of the main body case 1 where the tilting mechanism 27 is located and the wall surface of the main body case 1 where the drive mechanism 8 is located are opposite each other in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction.

[0013] A tilting mechanism 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the main body case 1. A worm gear 28, which includes a worm 29 and a worm wheel 30, is provided between the tilting mechanism 27 and the functional head 2, so that the functional head 2 is tilted via the tilting mechanism 27 and the worm gear 28. The self-locking function of the worm gear 28 constitutes the posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2.

[0014] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a retaining lever 45 that can engage with and disengage from the functional head 2, and a locking spring 46 that biases the retaining lever 45 in the direction of engaging with the functional head 2. Under normal conditions, the retaining lever 45, biased by the locking spring 46, engages with the functional head 2, thereby restricting the tilting of the functional head 2. A tilting operator 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the main body case 1. The tilting operator 27 is configured to disengage the retaining lever 45 from the functional head 2 against the biasing force of the locking spring 46.

[0015] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a first clamping body 57 and a second clamping body 59 that cooperate to clamp the tilting base end of the functional head 2. A tilting operator 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the main body case 1. The tilting operator 27 is configured to move the first clamping body 57 away from the second clamping body 59.

[0016] A pinion shaft 68, parallel to its tilting axis, is inserted through the functional head 2. The pinion 69 on the pinion shaft 68 engages with an arc-shaped rack 70 provided on the main body case 1. A tilting mechanism 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the main body case 1. One end of the pinion shaft 68 is connected to the tilting mechanism 27.

[0017] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a plurality of retaining recesses 44 arranged in a row on the functional head 2, and a retaining lever 45 that is elastically biased toward the retaining recesses 44. When the retaining lever 45 engages with any of the retaining recesses 44, the tilting of the functional head 2 is restricted.

[0018] A grip piece 81 that can be pushed inward is provided on the surface of the grip portion 5 of the main body case 1. The posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a capture zone 83 provided on the functional head 2, a capture piece 84 capable of capturing the capture zone 83, and a pressing mechanism 85 that presses the capture piece 84 against the capture zone 83 in conjunction with the grip piece 81 being pushed inward.

[0019] One end of the worm 29 is connected to the tilting operator 27, so that the tilting operator 27 and the worm 29 are rotated together. The worm wheel 30 is formed at the tilting base end of the functional head 2 and directly meshes with the worm 29.

[0020] The tilting mechanism 27 is formed in the shape of a push button and is biased by a lock spring 46 to protrude from the main body case 1.

[0021] The device is equipped with an operating screw 55 made of a stepped screw, the operating screw 55 integrally comprising an operating head that constitutes the tilting operating body 27, a stepped portion that constitutes the first clamping body 57, a tilting shaft 22 that pivotally supports the tilting base end of the functional head 2, and a screw shaft 58 made of a male screw. The second clamping body 59 is made of a screw boss that screws into the screw shaft 58.

[0022] The posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a retaining pin 63 provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the main body case 1 and the functional head 2, a plurality of retaining grooves 64 provided on the other surface, and an engaging spring 65 that biases the retaining pin 63 in the direction of engaging with the retaining grooves 64.

[0023] On the surface of the main body case 1, a slide knob 73 is provided which is slid to switch the on / off state of the small electrical device. The posture holding mechanism of the function head 2 includes a restricting body 77 that is displaced in conjunction with the slide operation of the slide knob 73. The restricting body 77 is configured to restrict the detachment of the holding lever 45 when the small electrical device is in the on state and to allow the detachment of the holding lever 45 when in the off state.

[0024] A myoelectric electrode 3 is provided on the surface of the function head 2, and a grip electrode 9 that pairs with the myoelectric electrode 3 is provided on at least a part of the grip piece 81.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] The small electrical device according to the present invention is provided with a posture holding mechanism that holds the function head 2 in a non-tilting manner with respect to the main body case 1. This posture holding mechanism can hold the function head 2 in a non-tilting manner at at least three locations including one stroke end and the other stroke end. That is, according to the present invention, compared with conventional devices in which the fixed position of the function head was limited to only two locations at both stroke ends, the fixed position can be increased, and thus the usability of the small electrical device can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a longitudinal sectional side view of the main part of the small electrical device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the small electrical device. [Figure 3] It is a longitudinal sectional side view of the main part of the small electrical device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a view showing an enlarged part of FIG. 3. [Figure 5] It is a two-side view of the small electrical device according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] It is a transverse plan view of the main part of the small electrical device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view along line BB. [Figure 9] This is a side view of a small electrical device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the main part of the small electrical device. [Figure 11] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the functional head in a state where tilting is permitted. [Figure 12] This is a side view of a small electrical device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the CC line. [Figure 14] This is a cross-sectional view of the functional head in a state where tilting is permitted. [Figure 15] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the main part of a small electrical device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This is a rear view of the spherical shaft section of the small electrical device. [Figure 17] This is a side view of a small electrical device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This is a side view of a small electrical device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of the main part of the small electrical device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0027] (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The small electrical device of this embodiment is a handy beauty device used for skincare on the user's face, etc., and comprises a vertically elongated hollow main body case 1 that also serves as a grip, and a functional head 2 that is tiltably connected to the upper end of the main body case 1. Skin electrodes 3 are provided on the surface of the functional head 2 to be pressed against the skin surface to be treated. The upper half of the main body case 1 constitutes a functional part 4 that supports the functional head 2, and the lower half of the main body case 1 constitutes a grip part 5 suitable for the user to hold.

[0028] The surface of the grip section 5 is provided with a drive operating body 8 for the user to switch the operating state of the beauty device, and grip electrodes 9 that make close contact with the palm of the user's hand when they hold the grip section 5. The drive operating body 8 consists of three push-type switch buttons 10 to 12 arranged vertically and is located on the front wall 5a of the grip section 5, while the grip electrodes 9 are located on the rear wall 5b of the grip section 5, which is the back side of the drive operating body 8.

[0029] The grip section 5 houses a rechargeable battery 15, which is the power source for the beauty device, and a control board 16 that controls the operating state of the beauty device. The front of the control board 16 is provided with a power switch 17, which is operated by pressing the upper switch button 10, a mode switching switch 18, which is operated by pressing the central switch button 11, and an intensity switching switch 19, which is operated by pressing the lower switch button 12. In other words, each time the user presses the upper switch button 10, they can switch the beauty device between the on and off states. When the device is on, each time the user presses the central switch button 11, they can switch the direction of the current flowing to the skin electrode 3 and the grip electrode 9. When the device is on, each time the user presses the lower switch button 12, they can switch the strength of the current supplied to both electrodes 3 and 9.

[0030] As shown in Figure 1, a horizontal tilting shaft 22 that pivotally supports the functional head 2 is provided at the top of the functional unit 4. The tilting shaft 22 is formed in the shape of a round rod extending in the left-right direction and is positioned in the front-to-back center of the functional unit 4. The functional head 2 comprises a head body 23 pivotally supported by the tilting shaft 22 and a skin electrode 3 supported by the head body 23. A round axial hole 24 is formed at the tilting base end of the head body 23 through which the tilting shaft 22 is inserted, and the skin electrode 3 is fixed to the tilting tip surface of the head body 23. The functional head 2 is capable of tilting about 90° around the tilting shaft 22 between a first stroke end (one stroke end) where the skin electrode 3 faces forward (shown by a solid line) and a second stroke end (the other stroke end) where the skin electrode 3 faces upward (shown by a dashed line), and is also configured to be held in a non-tiltable position at any position between the two stroke ends, as will be described later.

[0031] The tilting operation of the functional head 2 is performed via a tilting operator 27 provided on the surface of the functional unit 4 and a worm gear 28 built into the functional unit 4. The worm gear 28 consists of an elongated worm 29 extending in the front-rear direction perpendicular to the tilting axis 22 and a worm wheel 30 provided around the shaft hole 24 of the head body 23. The worm 29 is supported by the front wall 4a and rear wall 4b of the functional unit 4 so as to be able to rotate (rotate) around its axis. The rear end of the worm 29 passes through the rear wall 4b, and a dial-type tilting operator 27 is connected to this rear end. When the tilting operator 27 is rotated, the worm 29 rotates together with the tilting operator 27.

[0032] In this embodiment, the tilting operator 27 is positioned in the upper and lower center of the outer surface of the rear wall 4b of the functional unit 4, and intersects with a virtual plane that divides the functional unit 4 vertically into two halves. The tilting operator 27 and the drive operator 8 are positioned on different wall surfaces of the main body case 1. More specifically, the wall surface of the main body case 1 on which the tilting operator 27 is located and the wall surface of the main body case 1 on which the drive operator 8 is located face each other in the front and rear directions.

[0033] The worm wheel 30 is formed concentrically with the shaft hole 24 and has a larger diameter than the worm 29, and meshes with the worm 29. Therefore, when the tilting operator 27 is operated and the worm 29 rotates, the rotational power of the worm 29 is transmitted to the worm wheel 30, causing the entire functional head 2, including the worm wheel 30, to tilt around the tilting axis 22. More specifically, when the tilting operator 27 is rotated in one direction, the functional head 2 tilts toward the first stroke end, and when the tilting operator 27 is rotated in the other direction, the functional head 2 tilts toward the second stroke end.

[0034] Furthermore, when the rotational operation of the tilting operator 27 is stopped, the functional head 2 stops (locks) in that position, regardless of its current position, and is unable to tilt. Even if a large external force is applied to the functional head 2 in the tilting direction, the worm wheel 30 and the worm 29 will not rotate relative to each other, and the functional head 2 will not move. This is due to the well-known self-locking function of the worm gear 28, so an explanation of its principle will be omitted. The worm gear 28 in this embodiment constitutes the posture holding mechanism in the present invention. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the functional head 2 can be held at any position between the first stroke end and the second stroke end, and the user can adjust the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 steplessly.

[0035] As a modification of this embodiment, one or more gears can be interposed between the worm 29 and the worm wheel 30. Similarly, one or more gears can be interposed between the tilting operator 27 and the worm 29. The worm wheel 30 may be separate from the head body 23 of the functional head 2, and one or more gears can be interposed between the worm wheel 30 and the head body 23. The worm wheel 30 does not need to be formed around the entire circumference of the shaft hole 24; it is sufficient if it is formed in an arc shape that is circumferentially longer (has a larger central angle) than or equal to the tilting stroke of the functional head 2.

[0036] (Second Embodiment) Figures 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the head body 23 and the posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 differs from that of the first embodiment. The head body 23 of this embodiment includes a bearing portion 36 supported by a tilting shaft 22, an electrode base 37 that supports the skin electrode 3, and a ball joint 38 that connects the electrode base 37 to the bearing portion 36 so as to be tiltable. The ball joint 38 includes a ball socket 39 connected to the bearing portion 36, a ball stud 40 erected on the back surface of the electrode base 37 as seen from the skin electrode 3, and a return spring 41 wound around the shaft of the ball stud 40, with the ball portion at the tip of the ball stud 40 being held by the ball socket 39. With this ball portion as the center, the electrode base 37 (skin electrode 3) can tilt freely in any direction in three dimensions relative to the bearing portion 36. The return spring 41 is made of a compression coil spring and presses the electrode base 37 away from the bearing portion 36, thereby holding the electrode base 37 in its initial position (center of the tilting range) in its normal state, and returning the electrode base 37 that has tilted due to an external force back to its initial position.

[0037] In this embodiment as well, the entire functional head 2 is tiltable within a range of approximately 90° around the tilt axis 22 between a first stroke end where the skin electrode 3 faces forward and a second stroke end where the skin electrode 3 faces upward. The posture holding mechanism for holding the functional head 2 in a non-tiltable state consists of a plurality (three or more) of holding recesses 44 provided in the bearing portion 36 of the head body 23, a single holding lever 45 that can engage with any of the holding recesses 44, and a lock spring 46 that biases the holding lever 45 in the direction of engaging with the holding recess 44.

[0038] The outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion 36 facing the retaining lever 45 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape concentric with the shaft hole 24, and a plurality of retaining recesses 44 are arranged in a row along the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface. The retaining lever 45 is pivotally supported within the functional portion 4 of the main body case 1 so as to be able to swing around a pivot shaft 47 parallel to the tilting shaft 22, and an engaging projection 48 that can engage with a retaining recess 44 is provided at one end of the retaining lever 45. When the engaging projection 48 fits into one of the retaining recesses 44, the circumferentially facing surfaces of both 44 and 48 come into close contact, thereby restricting the tilting of the head body 23 around the tilting shaft 22.

[0039] In this embodiment, seven retaining recesses 44 are arranged at equal intervals on the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion 36, and the central angle of the arc from a retaining recess 44A located at one end of a row of retaining recesses 44 to a retaining recess 44B located at the other end of the same row is set to approximately 90°. In other words, when the functional head 2 is at the first stroke end shown in Figure 3, the retaining lever 45 engages with the retaining recess 44A at one end of the row of retaining recesses 44, and when the functional head 2 is tilted approximately 90° from the first stroke end to the second stroke end, the retaining lever 45 engages with the retaining recess 44B at the other end of the same row. To facilitate the entry of the engaging projection 48 into the retaining recesses 44, the opening edge of each retaining recess 44 is greatly chamfered, and furthermore, the opening dimension of the chamfered portion is set to be sufficiently larger than the adjacent spacing between retaining recesses 44 (the circumferential length dimension of the portion sandwiched between adjacent retaining recesses 44).

[0040] An operating shaft 49 extending to the rear is connected to the other end of the retaining lever 45. An operating recess 50 recessed inward (forward) is formed in the rear wall 4b of the functional part 4 of the main body case 1, and the operating shaft 49 penetrates the bottom wall of the operating recess 50 from front to back. A push-button-shaped tilting operating body 27 that matches the opening dimensions of the operating recess 50 is provided at the protruding end (rear end) of the operating shaft 49, and a lock spring 46 made of a compression coil spring is wound around the operating shaft 49 inside the operating recess 50. The lock spring 46 presses against the bottom surface of the operating recess 50 and the inner surface of the tilting operating body 27, respectively, biasing the tilting operating body 27 and the operating shaft 49 in the direction of protrusion from the functional part 4, i.e., to the rear. The retaining lever 45 connected to the front end of the operating shaft 49 is then biased to swing counterclockwise in Figure 3, that is, in the direction in which the engaging projection 48 approaches the bearing part 36. In other words, when the lock spring 46 is exerting a biasing force, the engaging projection 48 of the retaining lever 45 engages with one of the retaining recesses 44, restricting the tilting of the functional head 2 around the tilting axis 22. At this time, the tip of the tilting operator 27 protrudes from the operating recess 50.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, when the tilting operator 27 is pushed inward together with the operating shaft 49 against the biasing force of the lock spring 46, the retaining lever 45 swings clockwise, and the engaging projection 48 disengages from the retaining recess 44, thereby allowing the functional head 2 to tilt around the tilting shaft 22. In other words, the user of the beauty device can push in the tilting operator 27, grasp the functional head 2, tilt it to the desired position, and then release their fingers from the tilting operator 27 to stop (lock) the functional head 2 in that position, preventing it from tilting further. As described above, the opening dimensions of the retaining recess 44, including the chamfered portion, are sufficiently larger than the spacing between adjacent retaining recesses 44. Therefore, when the user's fingers release from the tilting operator 27, the engaging projection 48 of the retaining lever 45 will face one of the retaining recesses 44 with a sufficiently high probability and will engage with the retaining recess 44 under the bias of the lock spring 46. In other words, the frequency at which the engaging projection 48 does not engage with any of the retaining recesses 44 (i.e., the engaging projection 48 faces the outer circumferential surface of the bearing portion 36 where no retaining recesses 44 exist) can be sufficiently reduced. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 can be adjusted in multiple stages (7 stages) between the first stroke end and the second stroke end. The rest is the same as in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are used for the same components and their descriptions are omitted. The same applies to the third embodiment and subsequent embodiments.

[0042] (Third Embodiment) Figures 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the tilting shaft 22 that pivotally supports the functional head 2 and the posture holding mechanism differs from that of the first embodiment. The tilting shaft 22 in this embodiment is configured as part of an operating screw 55 that crosses the functional part 4 of the main body case 1 from left to right. The operating screw 55 is a so-called stepped screw, and in order from the side of the operating head that functions as a tilting operating body 27, it integrally comprises a stepped portion 57, a tilting shaft 22, and a screw shaft 58. The stepped portion 57 is sufficiently larger in diameter than the tilting shaft 22, and the screw shaft 58 is approximately the same diameter as the tilting shaft 22.

[0043] The operating head of the operating screw 55, i.e., the tilting operating body 27, is positioned on the outer surface of the first side wall 4c of the functional part 4, and the stepped portion 57 penetrates the first side wall 4c. On the inner surface of the second side wall 4d of the functional part 4, which is opposite the first side wall 4c to the left and right, a cylindrical screw boss 59 is provided into which the screw shaft 58 is screwed. The outer diameter of the screw boss 59 is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the tilting shaft 22 and is approximately equal to the diameter of the stepped portion 57. A washer 60 for preventing the operating screw 55 from loosening is provided between the tilting operating body 27 and the first side wall 4c. When the screw shaft 58 of the operating screw 55 is screwed into the screw boss 59 until this washer 60 is pressed against the tilting operating body 27 and the first side wall 4c, the stepped portion 57 and the screw boss 59 cooperate to clamp the opening edge of the shaft hole 24 in the head body 23 from both sides. The frictional force generated between the opening edge, the stepped portion 57, and the screw boss 59 restricts the tilting of the head body 23 around the tilting axis 22. The posture holding mechanism of this embodiment consists of a first clamping body made of the stepped portion 57 of the operating screw 55 and a second clamping body made of the screw boss 59.

[0044] When the operating screw 55 is loosened by rotating the tilting operating body 27, the clamping state of the head body 23 by the stepped portion (first clamping body) 57 and the screw boss (second clamping body) 59 is released, and the head body 23 becomes able to tilt relative to the tilting axis 22. In other words, the user of the beauty device can loosen the operating screw 55, tilt the functional head 2 to the desired position, and then tighten the operating screw 55 again to stop (lock) the functional head 2 in that position so that it cannot tilt further. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the functional head 2 can be held at any position between the first stroke end and the second stroke end, and the user can adjust the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 steplessly.

[0045] The drive operator 8 in this embodiment consists of three switch buttons 10 to 12 arranged in a triangular shape, and is located on the second side wall 5d of the grip 5, which is continuous below the second side wall 4d of the functional unit 4. On the other hand, as described above, the tilting operator 27 is located on the first side wall 4c of the functional unit 4. In other words, the tilting operator 27 and the drive operator 8 in this embodiment are located on different wall surfaces of the main body case 1, and more specifically, the wall surface of the main body case 1 on which the tilting operator 27 is located and the wall surface of the main body case 1 on which the drive operator 8 is located are opposite each other on the left and right sides.

[0046] (Fourth Embodiment) Figures 7 and 8 show a fourth embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the posture holding mechanism and other components differs from that of the third embodiment. The posture holding mechanism of this embodiment consists of a single retaining pin 63 provided on the head body 23 of the functional head 2, a plurality (three or more) of retaining grooves 64 provided on the inner wall of the functional part 4 of the main body case 1, and an engaging spring 65 that biases the retaining pin 63 in the direction of engaging with the retaining grooves 64. Guide recesses 66 are provided around the shaft hole 24 of the head body 23 to hold the retaining pin 63 so that it can move in and out in the radial direction of the shaft hole 24. The engaging spring 65 is disposed at the bottom of the guide recess 66 and biases the retaining pin 63 in the direction of protruding from the guide recess 66. The retaining pin 63 is positioned on the back side of the shaft hole 24 as seen from the skin electrode 3, and the skin electrode 3 and the retaining pin 63 tilt up and down or in opposite directions around the tilting axis 22.

[0047] Multiple retaining grooves 64 are arranged in a circumferential direction along the tilting trajectory of the tip of the retaining pin 63, and the tilting of the head body 23 around the tilting axis 22 is restricted when the retaining pin 63 engages with any of the retaining grooves 64. The tip of the retaining pin 63 is formed in a hemispherical shape, and each retaining groove 64 is formed in a rounded groove shape that matches the tip. In this embodiment, 10 retaining grooves 64 are arranged at equal intervals, and the central angle of the arc from retaining groove 64A located at one end of the row of retaining grooves 64 to retaining groove 64B located at the other end of the row is set to approximately 90°. In other words, when the functional head 2 is at the first stroke end shown in Figure 8, the retaining pin 63 engages with retaining groove 64A at one end of the row of retaining grooves 64, and when the functional head 2 has tilted approximately 90° from the first stroke end to the second stroke end, the retaining pin 63 engages with retaining groove 64B at the other end of the row.

[0048] On the back side of the tilting shaft 22, as viewed from the retaining pin 63, a pinion shaft 68 is arranged parallel to the tilting shaft 22. The pinion shaft 68 is inserted into the head body 23 so as to be able to rotate (rotate around its own central axis), and pinion gears 69 are attached to both the left and right ends of the pinion shaft 68 that protrude from the head body 23. Corresponding to these left and right pairs of pinion gears 69, a left and right pair of racks 70 that mesh with the pinion gears 69 are provided on the inner surface of the functional part 4. Each rack 70 is formed in an arc shape concentric with the tilting shaft 22. One end of the pinion shaft 68 passes through the first side wall 4c of the functional part 4 and is connected to a tilting operating body 27 arranged on the outer surface of the first side wall 4c.

[0049] When the tilting operator 27 is rotated, the pinion shaft 68 and pinion gear 69 connected to it rotate together, and a force acts on the pinion gear 69, which meshes with the rack 70, causing it to move in a curved motion in the extension direction (circumferential direction) of the rack 70. This force causes the entire functional head 2, including the pinion shaft 68, to tilt around the tilting axis 22. More specifically, when the tilting operator 27 is rotated in one direction, the functional head 2 tilts toward the first stroke end, and when the tilting operator 27 is rotated in the other direction, the functional head 2 tilts toward the second stroke end.

[0050] When the tilting operator 27 is rotated, the attitude-holding mechanism, such as the retaining pin 63 described earlier, acts as resistance. In other words, in order to tilt the functional head 2, it is necessary to disengage the retaining pin 63 from the retaining groove 64, and to do so, it is necessary to retract the retaining pin 63 into the guide recess 66 against the biasing force of the engagement spring 65. Therefore, the functional head 2 will not tilt even if the user unconsciously touches the tilting operator 27.

[0051] As mentioned above, when the tilting operator 27 is rotated, a circumferential force acts on the entire functional head 2, including the pinion shaft 68. This force is also transmitted to the retaining pin 63, and the action of the arcuate surface of the retaining groove 64 redirects the retaining pin 63 in a retracting direction. When this radial force exceeds the biasing force of the engagement spring 65, the retaining pin 63 disengages from the retaining groove 64, causing the head body 23 to tilt. Then, when the tip of the retaining pin 63 approaches an adjacent retaining groove 64, the biasing force exerted by the engagement spring 65 causes the retaining pin 63 to advance from the guide recess 66 and engage with the retaining groove 64. At this time, the user operating the tilting operator 27 can feel a distinct click.

[0052] As described above, in this embodiment, the tilting of the functional head 2 is stopped each time the retaining pin 63 moves to the adjacent retaining groove 64, in other words, each time the functional head 2 tilts approximately 10° around the tilting axis 22. The posture holding mechanism of this embodiment also functions as a tactile mechanism that provides a click sensation each time the functional head 2 is displaced by a small amount. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 can be adjusted in multiple stages (10 stages) between the first stroke end and the second stroke end. As a modification of this embodiment, the arrangement of the retaining pin 63 etc. and the retaining groove 64 can be reversed. That is, the retaining pin 63 etc. can be provided on the inner surface of the functional part 4 of the main body case 1, and multiple retaining grooves 64 can be provided on the head body 23 of the functional head 2.

[0053] (Fifth Embodiment) Figures 9 to 11 show a fifth embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the drive operating body 8 and the attitude holding mechanism differs from that of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of a switch button 10 for the power switch 17, a slide knob 73 is provided in the upper and lower center of the front surface of the main body case 1. A horizontal slide rod 74 is provided on the inner surface of the slide knob 73, which penetrates the front wall of the main body case 1 and extends inward (rearward), and is configured to slide up and down together with the slide knob 73. The slide rod 74 also has an upward-extending click arm 75 integrally attached, and a pair of upper and lower click recesses 76 are provided on the inner surface of the front wall of the main body case 1 facing the tip of the click arm 75.

[0054] The power switch 17 is a momentary switch and is located on the inner surface of the rear wall of the main body case 1. When the slide knob 73 is in the upper ON position, the tip (rear end) of the slide rod 74 presses against the power switch 17, turning the beauty device ON. At this time, the tip of the click arm 75 engages with the upper click recess 76A (76), holding the slide knob 73 in the ON position. On the other hand, when the slide knob 73 is in the lower OFF position, the tip of the slide rod 74 does not contact the power switch 17, turning the beauty device OFF. At this time, the tip of the click arm 75 engages with the lower click recess 76B (76), holding the slide knob 73 in the OFF position.

[0055] The posture holding mechanism consists of a plurality (three or more) of retaining recesses 44 provided around the axial hole 24 of the head body 23, a single retaining lever 45 that can engage with any of the retaining recesses 44, and a restricting body 77 that restricts the retaining lever 45 from disengaging from the retaining recess 44. The outer circumferential surface of the head body 23 facing the retaining lever 45 is formed in a semi-cylindrical shape concentric with the axial hole 24, and a plurality of retaining recesses 44 are arranged in a row along the circumferential direction of this outer circumferential surface. The retaining lever 45 is equipped with an engaging projection 48 that can engage with the retaining recess 44, and is configured to be elastically deformable in the front-rear direction with its lower end, which is fixed to a support block 78 in the functional unit 4, as a fulcrum.

[0056] In this embodiment, seven retaining recesses 44 are arranged at equal intervals, and the central angle of the arc from a retaining recess 44A located at one end of a row of retaining recesses 44 to a retaining recess 44B located at the other end of the row is set to approximately 90°. In other words, when the functional head 2 is at the first stroke end shown in Figure 9, the retaining lever 45 engages with the retaining recess 44A at one end of the row of retaining recesses 44, and when the functional head 2 is tilted approximately 90° from the first stroke end to the second stroke end, the retaining lever 45 engages with the retaining recess 44B at the other end of the row.

[0057] A reinforcing wall 79 is provided projecting from the inner surface of the rear wall 4b of the functional unit 4, facing the retaining lever 45 from the rear at a distance. The regulating body 77, which constitutes the posture holding mechanism, is connected upward from the tip of the slide rod 74 and is configured to slide up and down integrally with the slide rod 74. As shown in Figure 10, when the slide knob 73 is in the upper ON position, the regulating body 77 enters between the retaining lever 45 and the reinforcing wall 79, with the front surface of its upper end contacting the retaining lever 45 and the rear surface of the upper end contacting the reinforcing wall 79. In this state, the retaining lever 45 is firmly supported from the rear by the reinforcing wall 79 via the regulating body 77, thus restricting the elastic deformation of the retaining lever 45 toward the rear, i.e., its separation from the retaining recess 44. The reinforcing wall 79, together with the support block 78 that supports the retaining lever 45, also functions as a guide for the vertically sliding regulating body 77. The reinforcing wall 79 does not need to be integrated with the main case 1; it may be made of a separate metal plate or the like.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, when the slide knob 73 is in the lower off position, the restrictor 77 retracts from between the retaining lever 45 and the reinforcing wall 79, creating space behind the retaining lever 45 that allows for its elastic deformation. Even with this space created, the engaging projection 48 of the retaining lever 45 is elastically engaged with the retaining recess 44, so even if the user lightly touches the functional head 2, for example, the retaining lever 45 will not detach backward from the retaining recess 44, and therefore the functional head 2 will not tilt. However, if the user intentionally tilts the functional head 2, the engaging projection 48 can be disengaged backward from the retaining recess 44 against the elastic force of the retaining lever 45, causing the functional head 2 to tilt.

[0059] When the engaging projection 48, which has disengaged from the retaining recess 44, approaches an adjacent retaining recess 44, the retaining lever 45 exerts an elastic force in the direction of returning to the front, causing the engaging projection 48 to engage with the retaining recess 44. At this time, the user who is tilting the functional head 2 can feel a distinct click. In this embodiment, the tilting of the functional head 2 is stopped each time the engaging projection 48 moves to an adjacent retaining recess 44, in other words, each time the functional head 2 tilts approximately 15° around the tilting axis 22. The posture holding mechanism of this embodiment also functions as a tactile mechanism that provides a click sensation each time the functional head 2 is displaced by a small amount. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 can be adjusted in multiple stages (7 stages) between the first stroke end and the second stroke end. As a modification of this embodiment, the retaining lever 45 can be biased by a separate spring or the like, as in the second embodiment described above.

[0060] (Sixth Embodiment) Figures 12 to 14 show a sixth embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the grip electrode 9 and the attitude holding mechanism differs from that of the first embodiment. The grip electrode 9 of this embodiment is composed of metal grip pieces 81 arranged on the first side wall 5c and the second side wall 5d of the left and right opposing grip portion 5, respectively, and each grip piece 81 is biased to protrude outward by a pair of upper and lower grip springs 82.

[0061] The posture holding mechanism consists of a capture band 83 provided around the shaft hole 24 of the head body 23, a capture piece 84 capable of capturing the capture band 83, and a pressing mechanism 85 that presses the capture piece 84 against the capture band 83. The capture band 83 consists of a cylindrical spur gear concentric with the shaft hole 24, which is integrally provided in the head body 23. The capture piece 84 is disposed below the capture band 83 so as to be able to move toward and away from the capture band 83, and one or more gear teeth that mesh with the capture band 83 are formed at the tip (upper end) of the capture piece 84 that faces the capture band 83. In addition to the above combination of spur gear and gear teeth, the capture band 83 and the capture piece 84 (tip) can also be made of, for example, high-friction rubber.

[0062] The capturing piece 84 is biased downward, i.e., away from the captured band 83, by a separation spring 86 which is made of a tension coil spring. Therefore, when the beauty device is not in use and is away from the user's hand, the captured band 83 is not captured by the capturing piece 84 (see Figure 14), and thus the functional head 2 can tilt freely relative to the main body case 1. The pressing mechanism 85, which will be described next, is provided to push up the capturing piece 84 against the biasing force of the separation spring 86 and engage the gear teeth at its tip with the captured band 83.

[0063] The pressing mechanism 85 consists of a pair of left and right link mechanisms 89. Each link mechanism 89 is composed of a vertical upper link body 90 that pushes up the lower surface of the gripping piece 84, a horizontal lower link body 91 provided on each grip piece 81, and a connecting link body 92 that connects the two link bodies 90 and 91. The lower link body 91 extends inward from the inner surface of the grip piece 81, penetrating the side walls 5c and 5d. When the grip piece 81 is pushed against the biasing force of the grip spring 82, the lower link body 91 moves inward into the grip portion 5 together with the grip piece 81.

[0064] The connecting link body 92 is pivotable around a horizontal link shaft 93 and comprises a first link piece 94 connected to the lower end of the upper link body 90 and a second link piece 95 connected to the inner end of the lower link body 91. When the grip piece 81 is pushed in and the lower link body 91 moves inward, the second link piece 95 pivots inward around the link shaft 93, and together with it, the first link piece 94 pivots upward, pushing up the upper link body 90. The upper link body 90 then pushes up the capture piece 84, and the gear teeth at its tip engage with the captured area 83, thereby restricting the tilting of the head body 23 around the tilting shaft 22.

[0065] In other words, the user of the beauty device can tilt the functional head 2 to the desired position while releasing their hand from the grip piece 81, and then stop (lock) the functional head 2 in that position by gripping the grip portion 5 and pushing in the grip piece 81. The functional head 2 can be stopped (locked) by pushing in only one of the grip pieces 81. In the beauty device of this embodiment, the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 can be adjusted steplessly (in circular pitch increments) between the first stroke end and the second stroke end. As a modification of this embodiment, the grip electrode 9 can be provided on only a part of the grip piece 81.

[0066] (Seventh Embodiment) Figures 15 and 16 show a seventh embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, in which the configuration of the head body 23 of the functional head 2 differs from that of the second embodiment. In this embodiment, the head body 23 has a ball-shaped spherical shaft portion 51 that is tiltably supported by the functional portion 4 of the main body case 1, instead of a bearing portion 36 that is inserted through the tilting shaft 22. The front wall 4a of the functional portion 4 is provided with a partially spherical holding wall 52 that holds the spherical shaft portion 51 inseparably from the main body case 1. In other words, in this embodiment, the entire functional head 2 can tilt in any direction in three dimensions around the spherical shaft portion 51 relative to the main body case 1. In addition, similar to the second embodiment, the spherical shaft portion 51 and the electrode base 37 are connected via a ball joint 38, and the electrode base 37 (skin electrode 3) can tilt in any direction in three dimensions relative to the spherical shaft portion 51, around the ball portion of the ball stud 40.

[0067] The range in which the entire functional head 2 can tilt around the spherical shaft portion 51 is approximately 45° in any direction from the tilt center, defined as the position of the functional head 2 when the skin electrode 3, which is not subjected to external force, is facing straight forward, as shown in Figure 15. When the functional head 2 tilts approximately 45° in any direction from the tilt center, the outer surface of the ball socket 39 of the ball joint 38 is received by the front wall 4a of the functional portion 4, and further tilting of the functional head 2 is restricted. In this embodiment, the position when the functional head 2 is tilted to its limit in any direction can be defined as the first stroke end, and the position symmetric to the first stroke end with respect to the tilt center can be defined as the second stroke end. In other words, the functional head 2 can tilt within a range of approximately 90° around the spherical shaft portion 51 between the first stroke end and the second stroke end.

[0068] The posture holding mechanism consists of a number of retaining recesses 44 formed as indentations on the rear surface of the spherical shaft portion 51, a retaining lever 45 that can engage with any of the retaining recesses 44, and a lock spring 46 that biases the retaining lever 45 in the direction of engaging with the retaining recesses 44. The group of retaining recesses 44 are distributed around a retaining recess 44C with which the retaining lever 45 engages when the functional head 2 is at the tilting center. Specifically, a number of retaining recesses 44 are provided at equal intervals along each of two concentric circles centered on the central retaining recess 44C. When the functional head 2 is at the first stroke end or the second stroke end, the retaining lever 45 engages with any of the retaining recesses 44 on the large-diameter concentric circle.

[0069] In this embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, the opening edges of each retaining recess 44 are significantly chamfered to facilitate the entry of the engaging projection 48 into the retaining recess 44. Furthermore, the opening dimensions of the chamfered portions are set to be sufficiently larger than the adjacent spacing between the retaining recesses 44 (the length along the spherical surface of the portion sandwiched between adjacent retaining recesses 44). Therefore, when the user's finger leaves the tilting operator 27, the engaging projection 48 of the retaining lever 45 faces one of the retaining recesses 44 with a sufficiently high probability and engages with the retaining recess 44 under the bias of the lock spring 46. In other words, the frequency in which the engaging projection 48 does not engage with any of the retaining recesses 44 (the engaging projection 48 faces the spherical surface of the spherical shaft portion 51 where no retaining recesses 44 exist) can be sufficiently reduced.

[0070] The beauty devices (small electrical devices) shown in each of the above embodiments are equipped with skin electrodes 3 and grip electrodes 9, and supply electric current to the user's skin surface to perform ion introduction or ion extraction. However, the present invention can also be applied to other beauty devices, such as those with an ultrasonic or RF (radio frequency) generator built into the functional head 2, or to EMS beauty devices with a built-in microcurrent generator that stimulates muscles. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to small electrical devices other than beauty devices, such as the massager shown in the following eighth embodiment or the electric razor shown in the ninth embodiment.

[0071] (Eighth Embodiment) Figure 17 shows the eighth embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the functional head 2 is a massager equipped with a vibrator 97 instead of skin electrodes 3. The vibrator 97 consists of a motor 98 powered by a battery 15 and an eccentric weight 99 attached to the output shaft of the motor 98, and is built into the head body 23.

[0072] (Ninth Embodiment) Figures 18 and 19 show the ninth embodiment of the small electrical device according to the present invention, which differs from the first embodiment in that the functional head 2 is an electric razor equipped with a cutting blade 101 instead of skin electrodes 3. The head body 23 of the functional head 2 includes a bearing portion 36 supported by a tilting shaft 22, a cylindrical blade holder 102 that supports the cutting blade 101, and a ball joint 38 that tiltably connects the blade holder 102 to the bearing portion 36. The cutting blade 101 consists of a dome-shaped outer blade 103 fixed to the surface of the blade holder 102 and a plurality of inner blades 104 that are rotationally driven along the inner surface of the outer blade 103 within the blade holder 102. The plurality of inner blades 104 are fixed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on a disc-shaped inner blade base 105. The inner blade base 105 is driven to rotate integrally with the inner blade 104 around the central axis of the outer blade 103 by the rotational driving force of the motor 106, which is powered by the battery 15.

[0073] The ball joint 38 comprises a disc-shaped ball socket 39 connected to the bearing portion 36, a ball stud 40 erected on the back surface of the blade holder 102 as seen from the cutting blade 101, and a plurality of return springs 41 arranged on the opposing surfaces of the ball socket 39 and the blade holder 102 so as to surround the ball stud 40, with the ball portion at the tip of the ball stud 40 being held by the ball socket 39. The blade holder 102 (cutting blade 101) can tilt freely in any direction in three dimensions relative to the bearing portion 36, centered on this ball portion. The return springs 41 are compression coil springs that press the blade holder 102 away from the bearing portion 36, thereby holding the blade holder 102 in its initial position (center of the tilting range) in its normal state, and returning the blade holder 102 that has tilted due to an external force back to its initial position.

[0074] Examples of modifications of this embodiment include a reciprocating electric shaver in which the inner blade 104 is driven back and forth along the inner surface of the outer blade 103, a rotary electric shaver in which the cylindrical inner blade 104 is driven to rotate along the inner surface of the outer blade 103, and an electric shaver in which the cutting blade 101 consists only of a rotating blade.

[0075] In each embodiment except for the seventh embodiment described above, the functional head 2 is supported by a tilting shaft 22 provided in the main body case 1, but the tilting shaft 22 may be provided in the functional head 2 and the tilting shaft 22 may be supported by a bearing provided in the main body case 1. The small electrical device according to the present invention can contribute to Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being for All) of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[0076] As described above, the miniature electrical device according to the above embodiment is equipped with a posture-holding mechanism that holds the functional head 2 in a position where it cannot tilt relative to the main body case 1. This posture-holding mechanism can hold the functional head 2 in a position where it cannot tilt at at least three locations, including one stroke end and the other stroke end. In other words, according to this embodiment, the number of fixing positions for the functional head can be increased compared to conventional devices in which the fixing positions were limited to only two locations at both stroke ends, and therefore the usability of the miniature electrical device can be improved.

[0077] Since the tilting mechanism 27, which is operated to tilt the functional head 2, is provided on the surface of the functional section 4, which is the upper half of the main body case 1, it is possible to prevent the user's hand, which is gripping the lower half of the main body case 1, from accidentally touching the tilting mechanism 27, and consequently preventing the functional head 2 from tilting against the user's will.

[0078] Since the tilting operator 27 intersects with a virtual plane that divides the functional unit 4 vertically, that is, the tilting operator 27 is positioned in the vertical center of the functional unit 4, the user can easily see and operate the tilting operator 27.

[0079] At one end of the stroke, the functional head 2 is positioned on the front side of the main body case 1, while at the other end of the stroke, the functional head 2 is positioned on either the front or top side of the main body case 1. On the other hand, the tilting operator 27 is positioned on the rear side of the main body case 1. In this way, since the tilting operator 27 is positioned on a different surface from the functional heads 2, the user can easily see and operate the tilting operator 27. In particular, in small electrical devices where the tilting operator 27 temporarily releases the posture holding mechanism, and releasing it allows for direct tilting of the functional head 2, the user can check the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 from the side and tilt the functional head 2 without being obstructed by the fingers operating the tilting operator 27.

[0080] As described above, the tilting operator 27 is located in the functional section 4 of the upper half of the main case 1, while the drive operator 8, which is operated to switch the drive state of the small electrical device, is located in the grip section 5, which is the lower half of the main case 1. This allows the tilting operator 27 and the drive operator 8 to be distributed between the upper and lower parts of the main case 1. This effectively prevents inconveniences such as the user accidentally touching the other operator when operating one of the operators 27 or 8.

[0081] In addition to distributing the tilting mechanism 27 and the drive mechanism 8 to the top and bottom of the main case 1, these mechanisms 27 and 8 are positioned on different walls on the front, back, left, and right sides of the main case 1. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent inconveniences such as the user's hand accidentally moving to the other side when operating one mechanism.

[0082] Furthermore, since the wall surface of the main case 1 where the tilting mechanism 27 is located and the wall surface of the main case 1 where the drive mechanism 8 is located are facing each other in the front-to-back or left-to-right direction, these mechanisms 27 and 8 can be distributed not only vertically but also horizontally and front-to-back. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent inconveniences such as a user's hand touching the other while operating one.

[0083] A worm gear 28, comprising a worm 29 and a worm wheel 30, is provided between the tilting operator 27 and the functional head 2. This allows the functional head 2 to be tilted via the tilting operator 27 and the worm gear 28. Therefore, the user can adjust the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 steplessly between both stroke ends with a simple procedure involving only the operation of the tilting operator 27. Furthermore, the presence of the worm gear 28 between the tilting operator 27 and the functional head 2 causes the functional head 2 to tilt in small increments, facilitating fine adjustment of its posture. Additionally, the self-locking function generally present in the worm gear 28 allows for the configuration of the posture-holding mechanism for the functional head 2. This reduces the number of parts in the small electrical device and simplifies the internal structure compared to using dedicated components for this mechanism. The posture-holding mechanism with a self-locking function is also advantageous because it eliminates the need for a special release operation when the user adjusts the posture of the functional head 2.

[0084] The posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a retaining lever 45 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the functional head 2, and a locking spring 46 that biases the retaining lever 45 in the direction of engaging with the functional head 2. Under normal conditions, the retaining lever 45, biased by the locking spring 46, engages with the functional head 2, thereby restricting the tilting of the functional head 2. The tilting operator 27 on the surface of the main body case 1 is configured to disengage the retaining lever 45 from the functional head 2 against the biasing force of the locking spring 46. With this configuration, the user can quickly tilt the functional head 2 by operating the tilting operator 27 to disengage the retaining lever 45 from the functional head 2, thereby eliminating the resistance that hinders the tilting of the functional head 2. In the configuration described above, where a worm gear 28 is interposed between the functional head 2 and the tilting operator 27, the functional head 2 can only be tilted in small increments. However, in this configuration, the functional head 2 can be displaced all the way from one stroke end to the other in one go.

[0085] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a first clamping body 57 and a second clamping body 59 that clamp the tilting base end of the functional head 2. This configuration restricts the tilting of the functional head 2 due to the frictional force generated between the tilting base end of the functional head 2 and the two clamping bodies 57 and 59. Furthermore, the tilting operator 27 on the surface of the main body case 1 moves the first clamping body 57 away from the second clamping body 59. By operating the tilting operator 27 to move the first clamping body 57 away from the second clamping body 59, the user can prevent friction between the tilting base end of the functional head 2 and the two clamping bodies 57 and 59, allowing the functional head 2 to tilt freely between both stroke ends. In other words, similarly to the above, the functional head 2 can be displaced in one step from one stroke end to the other.

[0086] A pinion shaft 68 parallel to its tilting axis is inserted through the functional head 2, and the pinion 69 on the pinion shaft 68 meshes with an arc-shaped rack 70 provided on the main body case 1. One end of the pinion shaft 68 is connected to a tilting operator 27 on the surface of the main body case 1. In other words, when the tilting operator 27 is rotated, the pinion shaft 68 and pinion gear 69 connected to it rotate together, and a force acting on the pinion gear 69 that meshes with the rack 70 causes it to move in a curved motion in the direction of extension of the rack 70. This force causes the entire functional head 2, including the pinion shaft 68, to tilt. With this configuration, the user can tilt the functional head 2 in small increments by rotating the tilting operator 27. In other words, the posture (angle) of the functional head 2 can be easily fine-tuned.

[0087] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a plurality of retaining recesses 44 arranged in a row on the functional head 2 and a retaining lever 45 that is elastically biased toward the retaining recesses 44. When the retaining lever 45 engages with any of the retaining recesses 44, the tilting of the functional head 2 is restricted. With this configuration, each time the functional head 2 is tilted by the adjacent pitch of the retaining recesses 44, the retaining lever 45 can be elastically engaged with the retaining recesses 44 to stop the tilting of the functional head 2, and at the same time, a distinct click sensation can be provided to the user who is tilting the functional head 2. In other words, with this configuration, the posture-holding mechanism can also function as a tactile mechanism, thereby enhancing the user's sense of operation.

[0088] A grip piece 81 that can be pushed inward is provided on the surface of the grip portion 5 of the main body case 1. The posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a capture zone 83 provided on the functional head 2, a capture piece 84 capable of capturing the capture zone 83, and a pressing mechanism 85 that presses the capture piece 84 against the capture zone 83 in conjunction with the inward pushing of the grip piece 81. With this configuration, the user can tilt the functional head 2 to the desired position and then, simply by gripping the grip portion 5, press the capture piece 84 against the capture zone 83 via the pressing mechanism 85, thereby stopping (locking) the functional head 2 in that position and preventing it from tilting further. In other words, it is possible to improve user convenience by eliminating the need for any special operation to activate the posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2.

[0089] One end of the worm 29 is connected to the tilting operator 27, so that the tilting operator 27 and the worm 29 are operated together. A worm wheel 30 is formed at the tilting base end of the functional head 2 and directly meshes with the worm 29. With this configuration, gears other than the worm 29 and worm wheel 30 are not required between the functional head 2 and the tilting operator 27, further reducing the number of parts in the small electrical device.

[0090] The tilting operator 27 is formed in the shape of a push button and biased by a lock spring 46 to protrude from the main body case 1. As a result, the user can release the retaining lever 45 from the functional head 2 with a simple operation of just pushing the tilting operator 27, and by continuing to push it in, the retaining lever 45 can be kept released, i.e., the functional head 2 can be tilted. Furthermore, after tilting the functional head 2 to the desired position, the user can simply release their finger from the tilting operator 27 to reactivate the biasing force of the lock spring 46, re-engaging the retaining lever 45 with the functional head 2 and stopping (locking) the functional head 2 in that position, preventing it from tilting.

[0091] The operating screw 55 integrally comprises an operating head that constitutes the tilting operating body 27, a stepped portion that constitutes the first clamping body 57, a tilting shaft 22 that pivotally supports the tilting base end of the functional head 2, and a screw shaft 58 made of male threads. The second clamping body 59 is composed of a screw boss that screws into the screw shaft 58. With this configuration, the user can release the clamping state of the functional head 2 by the stepped portion (first clamping body 57) and the screw boss (second clamping body 59) by simply rotating the tilting operating body 27 to loosen the operating screw 55, thereby making the functional head 2 tiltable. Furthermore, after tilting the functional head 2 to the desired position, the user can simply rotate the tilting operating body 27 to tighten the operating screw 55, thereby clamping the functional head 2 again with the stepped portion (first clamping body 57) and the screw boss (second clamping body 59) and stopping it from tilting further (locking) in that position.

[0092] The posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a retaining pin 63 provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the main body case 1 and the functional head 2, a plurality of retaining grooves 64 provided on the other, and an engaging spring 65 that biases the retaining pin 63 in the direction of engaging with the retaining grooves 64. Therefore, each time the functional head 2 is tilted by the adjacent pitch of the retaining grooves 64, the biasing force of the engaging spring 65 engages the retaining pin 63 with the retaining grooves 64, stopping the tilting of the functional head 2. At the same time, a distinct click sensation is provided to the user who is tilting the functional head 2. In other words, with this configuration, the posture holding mechanism can also function as a tactile mechanism, enhancing the user's sense of operation. Furthermore, this posture holding mechanism is superior in that it does not require any special release operation when the user adjusts the posture of the functional head 2.

[0093] The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head 2 includes a restricting body 77 that restricts the release of the retaining lever 45 when the small electrical device is in the ON state. This ensures that the engagement of the retaining lever 45 with the retaining recess 44 is reliably maintained while the user is using the small electrical device, thereby reliably preventing the functional head 2 from tilting against the user's will. Furthermore, if the restricting body 77 is configured to be displaced in conjunction with the sliding operation of the slide knob 73 that switches the on / off state of the small electrical device, the user can avoid the need to operate the slide knob 73 and the restricting body 77 individually, thereby improving user convenience.

[0094] A skin electrode 3 is provided on the surface of the functional head 2, and a grip electrode 9, which is paired with the skin electrode 3, is provided on at least a portion of the grip piece 81. As described above, the grip piece 81 operates the pressing mechanism 85, that is, the posture holding mechanism of the functional head 2, in conjunction with its pressing operation, and therefore inevitably adheres firmly to the user's hand. Since the grip electrode 9 is provided on this grip piece 81, it can adhere firmly to the user's hand, thereby stabilizing the electrical conduction between the small electrical device and the user's skin surface. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] 1. Main unit case 2 Function Heads 3 Skin electrode 4. Functional Section 5. Grip section 8. Drive Unit 9 Grip electrodes 22 Tilt axis 27 Tilt operation body 28 Worm Gear 29 Warm 30 Worm Wheel 44 Retaining recess 45 Retaining lever 46 Lock spring 55 Operating screw 57 First clamping body (stepped section) 58 Screw shaft 59. Second clamping body (screw boss) 63 Retaining pins 64 Retaining groove 65 Engaging spring 68 Pinion Shaft 69 pinion 70 racks 73 Slide knob 77 Regulatory bodies 81 Grip Pieces 83 Targeted Zone 84 Capture piece 85 Pressing mechanism

Claims

1. It comprises a main body case (1) that also serves as a grip, and a functional head (2) connected to one end of the main body case (1). A small electrical device in which the functional head (2) is configured to be tiltable relative to the main body case (1) between one stroke end and the other stroke end, A compact electrical device characterized by having a posture-holding mechanism that holds the functional head (2) in a non-tilting position at at least three locations, including both stroke ends.

2. The main case (1) is formed in a vertically elongated shape. The upper half of the main case (1) constitutes a functional section (4) that supports the functional head (2), and the lower half of the main case (1) constitutes a grip section (5) that is suitable for the user to hold. The small electrical device according to claim 1, wherein a tilting operator (27) operated to tilt the functional head (2) is provided on the surface of the functional part (4).

3. The small electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the tilting operator (27) intersects with a virtual plane that divides the functional part (4) into upper and lower halves.

4. The functional head (2) at one end of the stroke is positioned on the front side of the main body case (1). The functional head (2) at the other stroke end is located on the front or top side of the main body case (1). The small electrical device according to claim 2, wherein the tilting operating body (27) is located on the rear side of the main body case (1).

5. The small electrical device according to claim 2, wherein a drive operating body (8) operated to switch the driving state of the small electrical device is provided on the surface of the grip portion (5).

6. The compact electrical device according to claim 5, wherein the tilting operator (27) and the drive operator (8) are arranged on different wall surfaces on the front, back, left, and right sides of the main body case (1).

7. The compact electrical device according to claim 6, wherein the wall surface of the main body case (1) on which the tilting operator (27) is located and the wall surface of the main body case (1) on which the drive operator (8) is located are facing each other in the front-to-back or left-to-right directions.

8. A tilting mechanism (27) is provided on the surface of the main body case (1) to tilt the functional head (2). A worm gear (28) comprising a worm (29) and a worm wheel (30) is provided between the tilting operator (27) and the functional head (2), and the functional head (2) is configured to be tilted via the tilting operator (27) and the worm gear (28). The small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the self-locking function of the worm gear (28) constitutes the posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2).

9. The posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a retaining lever (45) that can be engaged with and disengaged from the functional head (2), and a locking spring (46) that biases the retaining lever (45) in the direction of engaging with the functional head (2). Under normal conditions, a retaining lever (45), biased by a locking spring (46), engages with the functional head (2), thereby restricting the tilting of the functional head (2). A tilting mechanism (27) is provided on the surface of the main body case (1) to tilt the functional head (2). The small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tilting operator (27) is configured to detach the retaining lever (45) from the functional head (2) against the biasing force of the lock spring (46).

10. The posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a first clamping body (57) and a second clamping body (59) that cooperate to clamp the tilting base end of the functional head (2), A tilting mechanism (27) is provided on the surface of the main body case (1) to tilt the functional head (2). The small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tilting operator (27) is configured to move the first clamping body (57) away from the second clamping body (59).

11. A pinion shaft (68) parallel to its tilting center axis is inserted through the functional head (2). The pinion (69) on the pinion shaft (68) engages with an arc-shaped rack (70) provided on the main body case (1). A tilting mechanism (27) is provided on the surface of the main body case (1) to tilt the functional head (2). A small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein one end of the pinion shaft (68) is connected to a tilting operator (27).

12. The posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a plurality of holding recesses (44) arranged in a row on the functional head (2), and a single holding lever (45) that is elastically biased toward the holding recesses (44). The small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tilting of the functional head (2) is restricted by the engagement of the retaining lever (45) with one of the retaining recesses (44).

13. A grip piece (81) that can be pushed inward is provided on the surface of the grip portion (5) of the main case (1). A small electrical device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a capture band (83) provided on the functional head (2), a capture piece (84) capable of capturing the capture band (83), and a pressing mechanism (85) that presses the capture piece (84) against the capture band (83) in conjunction with the inward pushing of the grip piece (81).

14. One end of the worm (29) is connected to the tilting operator (27), and the tilting operator (27) and the worm (29) are configured to rotate together as a single unit. The miniature electrical device according to claim 8, wherein the worm wheel (30) is formed at the tilting base end of the functional head (2) and directly meshes with the worm (29).

15. The small electrical device according to claim 9, wherein the tilting operating body (27) is formed in the shape of a push button and is biased by a lock spring (46) in a direction to protrude from the main body case (1).

16. It is equipped with an operating screw (55) consisting of a stepped screw, The operating screw (55) integrally comprises an operating head that constitutes the tilting operating body (27), a stepped portion that constitutes the first clamping body (57), a tilting shaft (22) that pivotally supports the tilting base end of the functional head (2), and a screw shaft (58) which is a male screw. The small electrical device according to claim 10, wherein the second clamping body (59) is composed of a screw boss that screws into the screw shaft (58).

17. The miniature electrical device according to claim 11, wherein the posture holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a retaining pin (63) provided on one of the opposing surfaces of the main body case (1) and the functional head (2), a plurality of retaining grooves (64) provided on the other, and an engaging spring (65) that biases the retaining pin (63) in a direction to engage with the retaining grooves (64).

18. A slide knob (73) is provided on the surface of the main body case (1) for sliding to switch the on / off state of a small electrical device. The posture-holding mechanism of the functional head (2) includes a restricting body (77) that is displaced in conjunction with the sliding operation of the slide knob (73), The small electrical device according to claim 12, wherein the restrictor (77) is configured to restrict the release of the retaining lever (45) when the small electrical device is ON and to allow the release of the retaining lever (45) when it is OFF.

19. A skin electrode (3) is provided on the surface of the functional head (2). The small electrical device according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the grip piece (81) is provided with a grip electrode (9) that is paired with a skin electrode (3).

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